Sudbury police dog accidentally ingests fentanyl during raid

A police dog in Sudbury is back on the job today after accidentally ingesting fentanyl during a major drug bust last week.

K9 Royal — Roy for short — was part of a team of Greater Sudbury police officers who executed a search warrant Friday morning on Burton Avenue.

While sniffing around one particular room, police say Roy inadvertently ingested fentanyl.

His handler “immediately” administered Narcan — a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose — and “rushed him to the veterinarian where he underwent precautionary tests,” police say.

“Thanks to the quick actions of his handler, Roy is expected to make a full recovery,” said a news release issued Friday by the police service. “This is a stark reminder of the dangers our officers and canines face while protecting our community.”

In a Monday morning Facebook post, Sudbury police thanked community members for their concern and well wishes.

"After a couple days of the royal treatment and some much deserved R&R, Roy is feeling pawsome and ready to serve and protect our community," the post reads. "Criminals beware, our favourite fur missile is locked and loaded and ready for duty."

Born in November 2020 in Slovakia, Roy spent 16 weeks at a specialized training course with Halton Regional Police before reporting for duty in Sudbury in December 2022.

A police news release issued at the time said the service was “pawsitively thrilled” to welcome “this very good boy” to the force.

As for Friday’s drug bust, police say it was a significant haul: roughly $7,000 worth of illegal drugs — 68 grams of fentanyl and 4.5 grams of cocaine — $8,000 in cash and a “large amount” of counterfeit American money.

Four suspects were arrested and charged with two counts each of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.